ICAI Announces January 2027 CA Foundation and Intermediate Exam Dates

For thousands of aspiring chartered accountants, the January exam session is already on the calendar. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has released the schedule for its CA Foundation and Intermediate examinations, giving candidates an early opportunity to plan revision, mock tests and application deadlines.

The exams are scheduled from January 2 to January 12, 2027. Candidates should note both their paper dates and the November application window: forms can be submitted without a late fee from November 3 through November 16, 2026.

CA Intermediate January 2027 timetable

The Intermediate examination will be held in two groups. Group 1 papers are scheduled for January 2, 4 and 6, while Group 2 papers will take place on January 8, 10 and 12.

The dates are spaced across alternate days, but candidates should use the official timetable to confirm the paper assigned to each date and group. Avoid relying on unofficial summaries when planning travel or final revision sessions.

CA Foundation exam dates

The Foundation papers are scheduled for January 3, 5, 7 and 9, 2027. The four-paper sequence spans one week, so candidates should build a revision plan that covers every paper while leaving room to revisit weaker topics and practise timed questions.

Exam start time, duration and reading time

All Foundation and Intermediate examinations are scheduled to begin at 2 pm. Foundation Papers 1 and 2, along with all Intermediate papers, are three hours long. Foundation Papers 3 and 4 are two hours long.

ICAI has also provided 15 minutes of advance reading time, from 1:45 pm to 2 pm, for all papers except Foundation Papers 3 and 4. Candidates should check the instructions on their admit cards and in the official examination notice for any paper-specific directions, and arrive at the centre with enough time to complete entry procedures.

Application window: dates to keep in view

The examination application window opens on November 3, 2026. Candidates can submit their forms without a late fee until November 16. The schedule information provided does not specify the late-fee submission deadline, so applicants should consult the official notice rather than assume an extension or final date.

Before applying, check that your registration and exam details are correct, keep required information ready, and save the acknowledgement after submitting the form. If you are unsure about eligibility, the application process or any fee, use ICAI’s official examination website for the latest instructions: icai.nic.in.

How candidates can use the schedule to plan

With several weeks between the application window and the January exams, the timetable offers a practical planning point. Start by mapping each paper date against your current preparation. Set weekly targets, schedule full-length practice papers under timed conditions and reserve time to review mistakes—not just complete new material.

Foundation candidates can plan around the January 3, 5, 7 and 9 sequence, while Intermediate candidates should organise revision according to the group or groups they intend to sit. In both cases, a calendar that includes study blocks, mock tests and rest can make the final stretch more manageable. These are planning suggestions, not additional ICAI requirements.

What to watch for next

The release of exam dates is an important milestone, but candidates should continue to check ICAI communications for application instructions, admit-card updates and any subsequent changes. The safest approach is to use the published timetable as a planning baseline and verify operational details directly with the institute.

For students, the countdown now has clear dates. The challenge is turning that clarity into steady preparation—and making sure a missed form deadline or overlooked exam instruction does not undermine months of work.